Remote control apparatus



May 31? 1938. H, Q VANTASSEL 4 2,119,3'3

REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS l Original Filed Jan. 51, 1929- 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR H. CJ/anzssel,

Q1-m #si ATTORNEY May 31, 1938. H. c. vANTAssEL REMOTE CONTROL APABATUS original FiledJan. 31, 1929' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w, NW?

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R NN INVENTOR BYQX. 2 A.

)h-ATTORNEY Patented May 31, 1938 y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS Application January 31, 1929, Serial No. 336,440 Renewed August 14, 1931 s6 claims'. (o1. 246-3) My invention relates to remote control apparatus, and particularly to apparatus for safely co-ntrolling traic governing devices, such as railway switches and signals, from a distant point.

The apparatus of my invention is an improvement upon that disclosed in the co-pending applications of H. A. Wallace, Serial No. 125,659, filed July 29, 1926, for Railway trai-lic controlling apparatus, and of C. S. Snavely, Serial No. 362,- 948, led May 14, 1929, for Remote controlling apparatus.

One'feature of my invention is the provision of means for controlling a Yrailway switch and associated signals by currents of various codes supplied through a given pair of conductors, and of means for controlling various indicating devices by non-coded current "supplied through the same pair of conductors.

I will describe one form of apparatus embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

The accompanying drawings, Figs. 1 and 2, when placed end to end with Fig. l on the left, constitutea diagrammatic View showing one form of apparatus embodying my invention.

Referring to the drawings, the reference character Y designates a stretch of main railway track connected bymeans of a switch F with a siding Z. Rails I and Ia of stretch Y are divided by means` of insulated joints 2 into sections A-B, B-C Vand C-D. Each of these sections is provided with a track circuit which is supplied with current from a battery` 3 connected across the rails adjacent one end of the section, and which includes a track relay GI, G2 or G3, respectively,

connected across the rails adjacent the opposite v Vend of the section. A relay designated by the reference character g is controlled by front contacts of track relays GI and G3.

Signals designated by the reference characters SI, S2, S3 and S4 and which, as here shown, are of the semaphore type, control the movement of trailic over switch F. Signals Sl and S3 govern the movement of traflic over stretch Y only with switch F in its normal position as shown, and signals S2 and S4 control the movement of trailic over stretch Y to or from siding Z with switchV F reversed.

Manual control apparatus comprising four code transmitting keys TI, T2, T3 and T4 and a lever V are arranged in a central location such as a train dispatchers ofce. Each of the code keys T comprises a code wheel I2 operating a contact I3 in such manner that when the key is wound and then released, the consequent movement of the codewheel periodically opens and closes the associated contact I 3 until the key has unwound. Each of the code keys T, when operated, supplies current having a distinctive control code to the line wiresV 28 and 33. Code keys of this type being well known in the art, further detailed description of their construction is omitted from this application. The line wires 28 and 33 provide a message circuit extending from the dispatchers oflice to the way station at which the track switch F is located. This message circuit has a plurality of branches, and as shown in the drawings, current owing through the contacts of the code keys T is supplied to the message circuit by a battery Q2 located at the way station adjacent switch F. Each of the code key contacts I3 is closed except while its code wheel I2 is being operated subsequent to the winding operation of the respective code key. Lever V has five positions m, b, n, d and and is provided with Seven contacts ||9, |02, I4, |25, 3|, 45 and 53. Contact II9 is closed while lever V is in its m position only, contact |25 is closed while lever V is in its b position only, contact 3| is closedv while lever V is in its n position only, contact 'I4 is closed while lever V is` in its d position only, contact |02 is closed while lever V is in its r position only, and contacts 45 and 53 are closed while lever V is in its b or its d position or at any intermediate point.

A relay P, adjacent switch F, is controlled by the current supplied to line wires 28 and 33 by battery Q2, and opens its front contacts every time its circuit is interrupted by any one of the code keys T. It is thus clear that the front contacts of relay P repeat the code furnished by each of the code keys T.

Current of each code thus repeated is supplied to windings I 0 of selectors Hl, H2, H3 and H4. Each of these selectors is provided with a contact I which becomes closed when current of the code to which the selector responds is supplied to its winding Ill. When any of the code key Wheels I2 comes torest, contact II of the selector H which it controls, will open. Operation of code key TI causes current to be supplied to relay P of the proper code for causing selector Hl to close its contact II, and the operation of code keys T2, T3 and T4 similarly causes selectors H2, H3 and H4, respectively, to close their contacts I.

Each of the selectors H, by means` of its contact controls the pick-up circuit for a stick relay designated by the reference character h with a distinguishing sufx 2, 3 or 4. Stick circuits for relays hl and h2 are controlled by by code keys T but does respond to a prolonged open state of the circuit of relay P.

A polarized relay W is controlled in its normal direction by front contacts of relay hl, and in its reverse direction by front contacts of relay h2. Switch F may be operated by any suitable means, such for example as an electric motor which can be controlled in a usual and well known manner by relay W. Such control circuits, forming no part of my present invention, are omitted from the drawings.

A polarized relay K is so, controlled by a polechanger operated by switch F as to be energized in` its normal direction when switch F is in its normal position, and in the reverse direction when switch F is in its reverse position. Circuits for such control, being well known and forming no part of my invention, are omitted from the drawings.

Signals SI and S2 governing in the eastbound direction which is toward the right, as shown in. Fig. 2, arecontrolled by relay h3, and westbound signals S3 and S4 governing toward the left, as shown in Fig. 2, are controlled by relay h4. Since the stick circuits for relays h3 and h4 are controlled through a contact of relay p, it is clear that a prolonged open state of the circuit for relay P by some means such as contact 30 of a time element contacting device L or a manually operable push button E, or by the operation of Alever V to some point other than positions m, b,

n, d or r, causes relay h3 or h4 to become de-energized, thereby in turn causing the arm of any signal, which may at the time be indicating proceed, to be operated to its stop position.

A switch and track circuit indication relay NI, andan approach indication relay N2 are included in series in the circuit of relay P. These relays are of the slow releasing type, and hence do not respond to the opening of the circuit by code keys T. Relay NI is responsive to the polarity of the current flowing through its winding as controlled byswitchindication relay K. Relay N2 is responsive only to current of greater magnitude than is required for the operation of relay NI,r

the supply of current of the one or the other magnitude to the circuit being controlled by back or front contacts, respectively, of relay g.

A stick relay MI provides stick 'control for signals S, relay MI having a pick-up circuit controlled by lever V and. a stick circuit controlled by indication relay NI. A stick relay M2 provides approach locking for switch F, relay M2 having stick circuits controlled by approach indication relay N2 and lever V respectively, and pick-up. circuits controlled by a back contact of relay MI and by a reverse contact of the time element contacting device L respectively. Time element device L as here shown is a clockwork release, and is provided with contacts 38 and 51 which are normally closed and with a contact |52 which becomes closed only upon the lapse of a measured interval of time after the opening of contacts 30 and 51 by the operation of release L.

Indicating devices, here shown as electric .lamps eI, e2, and e3, are controlled by relays NI and N2. Lamp eI when lighted indicates that switch F is in its normal position, lamp e2 when lighted indicates that switch F is reversed, and lamp e3 when lighted indicates that approach track sections A--B and C-D are unoccupied. The track occupancy of section B-C is indicated to the dispatcher by the extinguishing of both lamps eI and c2. A battery QI supplies current for operating relays MI and M2, and for lighting lamps el, e2 and e3.

Having thus described, in general, the arrangement and location of the various parts comprising my invention, I will now explain the operation of the apparatus.

As shown in the drawings, all parts are in their normal condition, that is, code keys T are at rest, lever V is in its n position, switch F is in its normal position, signals SI, S2, S3 .and S4 are indicating stop, and track sections A-B, B-C and C-D are unoccupied and hence relays GI, G2 and G3 are energized. With relays GI and G3 energized, Vrelay g is energized by its circuit passing from terminal 5 of battery Q2, through wires I4 and I5, contact I6 of relay GI, contact I1 of relay G3, wire IB, winding of relay g, and wires I9 and 28 to terminal 1 of battery Q2. With switch F in its normal position, relay K is energized in its normal direction and hence its neutral contacts are 'closed and its polar contacts are closed to the left as shown in Fig. 2.

With lever V in its nposition, the windings of relays P, NI, and N2 are supplied with current by a circuit passing from terminal 5 of battery Q2, through wire 2|, contact 22a of relay g, wire 23, contact 24a of relay K, wire 25, winding of relay P, wire 26, contact 21 of relay G2, wire 28, windings of relays N2 and NI, wire 29, contact 3U of release L, the contact of push button E, contact 3| of lever V, and wires 32 and 33 to terminal 1 of battery Q2. The current owing in this circuit is of suflicient magnitude to operate relay N2 as well as relays NI and P. With relay P energized, relay p is also energized by its circuit passing from terminal 5 of battery Q2, through wires I4, 34, 35 and 36, contact 31 Vof relay P, winding of relay p, and wires 38, 39, 48, 4I, 42, 43 and 20 to terminal 1 of battery Q2. With lever V in its n position, the pick-up circuit for relay MI is closed, passing from battery QI, through Wire 44, contact 45 of lever V, contact 46 of relay M2, winding of relay MI, and wire 41 back to battery QI. A stick circuit for relay MI is also closed, passing from battery QI, through wires 44, 48 and 49, contact 50 of relay NI, wire 5|, contact 52 of relay MI, winding of relay MI, and wire 41 back to battery QI. As shown in Fig. l, relay M2 is energized by its stick circuit passing from battery QI, through wire 44, contact 53 of lever V, wire 54, contact 55 of relay M2, wire 59, contact 51 of release L, wire 58, winding of relay M2, and wires 59 and 69 back to battery QI. A second stick circuit for relay M2 is also closed, passing from. battery QI, through wire 5I, contact 62 of relay N2, wire 63, contact 55 of relay M2, wire 56, contact 51 of release L, wire 58, winding of relay M2, and wires 59 and 60 back to battery QI.

The current now flowing in the circuit traced through the winding of relay NI is in such direction that the polar contacts of relay NI are closed to the left, and hence lamp eI is lighted by its circuit passing from battery QI, through wires 44, 48 and 49, contacts 64 and 65a of relay NI, wirev 6.6, lamp el, and wires B1 and 60 back to battery QI. Withrelay N2 energized, lamp` e3" is also lighted by itsV circuit` passing from battery become cle-energized. Current'of'a lower magnitude will now be supplied to the windings ofrelays NI, N2 and P, such current of lower magnitude flowing from terminal 8 of battery Q2, through wire 10 contact 22hof relay g, and thence by the circuit previously traced to terminal Tof battery Q2. The current now owing, although of sucient magnitude to cause relays Nl and P to retain their contacts in the closed position, is of insuiilcient magnitude to cause` relay-.N21 tof retain its contacts inthe closed position. Contact 68 of relay N2 therefore opens, extinguishing lamp` e3 and thus indicating to the dispatcher that a train is on one of the approach sections A--B or C-D.

I will assume. that, with all parts of the` apparatus again in their normal condition as previously described, the dispatcher desiresto clear signal SI for a train to move over stretch Y with switch F normal. He therefore operates lever V to its r position. The slow releasing feature of relay NI is such that relay NI does not open its front contacts during this operation of lever V` from its n to its 1' position. The circuit previously traced through the windings of relays NI., VN2 and P is now closed through a branch path around contact 3| of lever V, this branch path passing from the contact of push button E, through contact |82 of lever V, contact I3 of code key T3, wire |8|, contact |88 of relay MI,` and wire 'Il to wire 33. Relays NI, N2 and P are hence energized as before. The dispatcher next winds and then releases code key T3, which, by

its contact I3, then interrupts the current flowing through the windings of relays NI, N2 and P' according to a code to which relay P responds and opens its contacts 31 and 'I5 each time contact I3 of key T3 opens. Relays NI and N2, being of a slow releasing type, meanwhile retain their contacts in the closed position. Relay P, by means of its contact l5, now causes current of the same codeV as the current owing in the circuit of relays NI, N2 and P to be supplied to selectors H, only selector H3 responding to current of the code ofV key T3. This circuit completed by contact 15 for selector H3`passes` from terminal il` of battery Q2, through wires I4, 34, 35 and 3B, contact 'I5 of relay P, wires 18, II, "I8 and 19, winding lil of relay H3, and wires 4-2, 43, and 2-0 to Vterminal IA of battery Q2.

Selector H3, upon responding to the coded current supplied* through contact 'I5 of relay P, closes its contact thus completing the pick-up circuit for relay h3, passing from terminal 5 of battery Q2, through wires I4, 34` and 35, contact |83 of relay p, wire |04, contacts |85 and' |86 of relays hl and h2 respectively, wire |87, contact |08 of relay h4, wire |08, contact I I of selector H3, winding 'of relay h3, and wires 43 and 2|]v to terminal 'I of battery Q2. Relay h3, by closing its` Contact |124, completes its` stick circuit which includes its, pickup circuit, just traced, as far as wire |89, and thence through contact |24 to the winding of relay h3. With relay h3 energized, operating current is suppliedto the mechanism of signal Sljby a circuit passing from terminal 5 of battery Q21, through wires III] and I I I., contact I'|2 of relay h3, wire |I3, contacts ||4` and' |I5a of relay K, wire |45, 'contact |45 of relay G3, wire |41, operatingmechanism of signal SI, and wires I I'I and I |:8 to terminal 'I of battery Q2. The arm of signal SI is then operated to its"proceed position.

When an approaching train de-energizes relay GI, theapproach indication will be given to the dispatcherby lamp e3 as previously described.l Upon the de-energization of relay N2, the stick circuit for relay M2 passing through contact 62 of relay N2 is opened, and the stick circuit for relay M2 passing through contact 53 of lever V having been previously opened due to` lever V being operated to its r position, relay M2 is deenergized.

If now the dispatcher nds it necessary to` hold the approaching train at signal SI, he will either open the circuit by means of push button E or by moving lever V to some position otherthan positions m, b, n, d and r and retaining it there for atsuicient period to cause relay p to become de-energized by relay P, relay p in turn de-energizing relay h3V and so causing the arm of signal Sl to be returned to its stop position; If he later desires to reverse switch F, he will move lever V to its d position. Contact 3| of lever V continues open in the circuit through the windings of relays NI, N2 and P andthe branch path previously traced around contact 3| is now open at contact |82 of lever V. Contact 14 of lever V Y is closed in` a second branch path around contact 3|, but, on account of relay VM2 being cle-energized, this second branch path is open at contact 'I2 of relay M2. In order to energize relay M2, the dispatcher now operates clockwork release L` causing contacts 38 and 5'! of release L to be at once opened and contact |52 of release L to be closed upon the lapse of a measured interval of time, If, when relay M2 has been cle-energized by an approaching train, the dispatcher finds it necessary to send the train over switch F reversed to siding Z instead of to Vsimply hold the trainY at signal SI, he will at once start the operation of release L, thereby opening contact 30 and causing signal SI to indicate stop, He will not operate push button E nor lever V as previously described for causing signal SI to indicate stop when he does not wish to. reverse switch F but desires to simply hold the train at switch F. He will, however, move lever V to its d position as before. Ineither instance, when contact |52"of release L becomes closed, relay M2 becomes energized by its pick-up circuit passing from battery QI, through wires 44 and 48, contact |52, Wire 58, winding of relay M2, and wires 59 and 68 back to battery QI.

Current is then supplied to the circuit for the windings of relays NI, N2 and P` through the second branch path around contact 3| of lever V, this branch path passing from push button E, through contact 14 of lever V, contact Ii3 of key T2, wire 73, and contact I2 of relay M2 to wire TI. Relays N and P now close their front contacts; The dispatcher winds key T2 causing current to be supplied to relay P of a code to which selector H2 will respond, similar coded current passing through the circuit previously traced for selector H3 as far as wire 'I'|,`thence through winding |10 of selector H2, and wires 40 and 4|" to wire 42;

Selector H2, upon responding to such cooled 00 back to battery QI.

hl, wire 82, contact II of selector H2, winding of relay h2, and wires83, 84, 4l, 42, 43 and 20 to terminal 1 of battery Q2. Relay h2, by closing its contact 81, completes its stick circuit passing from terminal 5 of battery Q2, through wires I4, 34, 80 and 85, contact 86F which is operated by switch F, contact 81 of relay h2, winding of relay h2, and wires 83, 84, 4I, 42, 43 and 20 to terminal 1 of battery Q2. With relay h2 energized, relay W is energized in its reverse direction by current flowing from terminal 5 of battery Q2, through wires I4, 34, 80 and 85, contact 88 of relay h2, wire 89, winding of relay W, wire 90, contact 9| of relay h2, and wires 92, 93, 94, 83, 84, 4I, 42, 43 and 20 to terminal 1 of battery Q2. With the polar contacts of relay W closed in their reverse position, switch F becomes operated to its reverse position causing relay K to be energized in its reverse direction.

Relay K, upon becoming energized in its reverse direction, causes current of reverse polarity to be supplied to the circuit through the windings of relays NI, N2 and P, passing from terminal 1 of battery Q2 in the reverse direction throughV this circuit as far as wire 25, thence through contact 24h of relay K, wire 95, contact 96D of relay g, and wire 98 to terminal 8 of battery Q2. The current flowing in the reverse direction through this circuit causes relay NI to close its polar contacts in the reverse direction thus opening the circuit for lamp el and completing the circuit for lamp e2 passing from battery QI, through wires 44, 48, and 49, contacts 84 and 85h of relay NI, wire 99, lamp e2, and wires 81 and Lamp e2 is thus lighted, indicating to the dispatcher that switch F is in its reverse position.

In order to clear signal S2 for the train to proceed over switch F to siding Z, the dispatcher will now return lever V to its r position. When lever V is returned to its 1' position, contact 53 of lever V is opened in one of the stick circuits for relay M2, causing relay M2 to be deenergized since contact 82 of relay N2 in the other stick circuit for relay M2 is already open on account of the presence of a train in section A-B. The dispatcher will then again wind key T3 causing selector H3 to again close the pick-up circuit for relay h3. The arm of signal S2 will now be operated to its proceed position by its circuit passing from terminal 5 of battery Q2, through Wires` l|0 and Ill, contact l|2 of relay h3, wire ||3, contacts l|4 and l|5b of relay K, wire IIB, operating mechanism of signal S2, and wires l|1 and l|8 to terminal 1 of battery Q2.

As the train enters the switch section B-C, relay G2 becomes de-energized, opening its contact 21 and thus causing relays NI and P to become de-energized. With relay NI de-energized, the circuit for lamp e2 as well as that for lamp el `is open and both lamps are extinguished, thus indicating to the dispatcher the presence of the train in section B-C. With lever V in its r position, the pick-up circuit for relay MI is open at contact of lever V, and with relay NI deenergized the stick circuit for relay MI is open at contact and hence relay Ml is deenergized. Relay p is de-energized due to the opening of contact 31 of relay P, and hence relay h3 is deenergized by contact l03 of relay p, causing the arm of signal S2 to return to its stop position.

When the train moves out of section B-C, relays NI, N2 and P will not become energized until the dispatcher returns lever V from its r to its n position. This is because the first branch path around contact 3l of lever V passes through contact |00 of relay MI. When the dispatcher has returned lever V to its n position and when all of the track sections A-B, B-C and C-D are unoccupied, relays NI and N2 will close their front contacts. Relay M2 then becomes energized by a pick-up circuit which passes from battery QI, through wire 6I, contact |48 of relay N2, wire |49, contact |50 of relay MI, wires |5| and 56, contact 51 of release L, wire 58, winding of relay M2, and wires 59 and 69 back to battery QI. Relay M2, upon becoming energized, completes at its contact 4G the pick-up circuit previously traced for relay MI, causing relay MI to become energized.

Ii, while switch F is reversed, an approaching train, by entering sections A-B or C-D deenergizes relay g, contact 96a of relay g will open and contact 95h will close, thus reducing the current supplied by battery Q2 through the windings of relays NI, N2 and P, and thereby causing relay N2 to open its front contacts. Relay N2, by opening its contact 68, extinguishes lamp e3 thus indicating to the dispatcher that a train is approaching.

When the dispatcher desires to return switch F from its reverse to its normal position, he will operate lever V to its b position. He will then wind key TI which controls current of a code to which selector Hl will respond, Selector HI, by closing its contact II, completes a pick-up circuit for relay hl passing from terminal 5 of battery Q2, through wires |I0 and |26, contact |21 of relay h2, wire |28, contact |l of selector Hl, winding of relay hl, and wires 94, 83, 84, 4l, 42, 43 and 20 to terminal 1 of battery Q2. Relay hl, upon closing its contact |30, completes its stick circuit passing from terminal 5 of battery Q2, through wires I4, 34 and 80, contact |29F which is operated by switch F, contact |30 of relay hl, winding of relay hl, and wires 94, 83, 84, 4I, 42, 43 and 20 to terminal 1 of battery Q2. With relay hl energized, relay W becomes energized in its normal direction by its circuit passing from terminal 5 of battery Q2, through wires I4, 34 and 80, contact |4I of relay hl, wire |42, winding of relay W, wire |43, contact |44 of relay hl, and wires 93, 94, 83, 84, 4l, 42, 43 and 20 to terminal 1 of battery Q2. With the polar contacts of relay W closed in their normal position, switch F will be returned to its normal position causing relay K to become energized in its normal direction.

In order to clear signals S3 or S4 for a westbound move with switch F normal or reversed, respectively, the dispatcher will operate lever V to its m position. He will then wind key T4 which controls current of a code to which selector H4 will respond. Selector H4, by closing its contact ll, completes a pick-up circuit for relay h4 passing from terminal 5 of battery Q2, through wires I4, 34 and 35, contact |03 of relay p, wire |04, contact |05 of relay hl, contact |06 of relay h2, wires |01 and |20, contact I2l of relay h3, wire |22, contact II of selector H4, winding of relay h4, and. wires 84, 4|, 42, 43 and 20 to terminal 1 of battery Q2. Relay h4, upon becoming energized, completes its stick circuit which includes its contact |23 in multiple with contact I l of selector H4 in the pick-up circuit just traced. When relay h4 is energized while switch F is in its normal position, signal S3 will be supplied with operating current by a circuit passing from terminal 5 of battery Q2, through wires ll0 and |28, contact |3l of relay h4, wire |32, contacts |33 and |34a`of relay K,wire |35,V contact |36 of relay Gl, wire |37, operating mechanism of signal S3, and wire |8 to terminal l of battery Q2. With this circuit closed, the arm of signal S3 is operated to its proceed position. If relay h4 is energizedwhile switch E" is in its reverse position, an operating circuitl is closed for signal S4 including the operating circuit just traced for signal S3 except passing from' contact |33 ci relay K, through contact |3421 of relay K, wire |38, contact |39 oi' relay GI, wire |40, and the operating mechanism of signal S4 to Wire I8.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of remote control apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modiiications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims Without departing from the spirit and scope ci my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination, a selector responsive to current of a given code, means for supplying said coded current to said selector, a pair of conductors, a circuit including said conductors for controlling said means, a device controlled by said selector, an auxiliary control means having a irst and a second position for controlling said device, a relay, a second relay responsive only to current of greater magnitude than is required for the operation of said rst relay, means including said conductors and controlled by said device for supplying said first and second relays with current of sufficient magnitude to operate said rst relay but not said second relay when said auxiliary control means is in its first posi- "ion, and means including said conductors and controlled by said device for supplying said rst and` second relays with current of suicient magnitude to operate said second relay as well as said rst relay when said auxiliary control means is in its second position.

2. In combination, a selector responsive to current oi a given code, a relay, a pair of conductors, a circuit including said relay and said conductors as well as a source of current, a code key, means controlled by said code key for interrupting said circuit according to said given code, said relay openingits contacts each time said circuit is interrupted by said means, a second relay responsive to non-coded current, means including said conductors and controlled by said selector for supplying said second relay with non-coded current, and a second circuit including the winding of said selector and a source of current as well as a contact of said Iirst relay.

3. In combination, two selectors one of which is responsive to current of a given code and the second of which is responsive to current of a given different code, a relay which opens and closes its contacts in response to current of said iirst or second code according as current of said first or of said second code is supplied to the winding of said relay, a pair of conductors, a circuit including said conductors and the Winding of said relay, a code key, means controlled by saidY code key vfor supplying said circuit with current of said iirst code, a second code key, means controlled by said second code key for supplying said circuit with current of said second code, means controlled -by said relay for supplying said selectors with current of said first or second codes, an electrical device capable of being put into either a first or a second condition, means for putting said electrical device into said Iirst condition when said iirst selector is operated,means for putting said `electrical device into said second condition when said second selector is operated, an indication relay responsive to the polarity of the current supplied to its Winding, means including said conductors for supplying said indication relay with current of normaler reverse polarity Aaccording as said electrical device is in its said first or its said second condition, and indication means controlled by said indication relay.

4. In combination, two selectors one of which is responsive to current of a given code and the second of which is responsive to current of a given diiierent code, a relay which opens and closes its contacts in conformity with said first or second code when current of said iirst or second code respectively is supplied to the Winding of said relay, a pair ofconductors, a circuit including said conductors and the winding of said relay, a code key, means controlled by said code key for supplying said circuit With current of said first code, a second code key, means controlled by said second code key for supplying said circuit with `current of said second code, means controlled by said relay for supplying said selectors with current of said iirst or second codes, an electrical device capable of being put into either a rst or a second condition, means for putting said electrical device into said iirst condition when said iirst selector is operated, means for putting said electrical device into said second condition when said second selector is operated, a second relay responsive to the polarity of the current supplied to its winding, means including said conductors for supplying said second relay with current of normal or reverse polarity according as said electrical device is in its said iirst or its said second condition, a third relay responsiveonly to current of greater magnitude than is required for the operation of said first and second relays, a second electrical device separately controlled to a first and a second condition, means including said conductors and controlled by said first electrical device for supplying said third relay with current of sufficient magnitude to operate said third relay when said second electrical device is in its said first condition, and means including said conductors and controlled by said first electrical device for supplying said third relay with current of suflicient magnitude to operate said first and'second relays but not said third relay when said second electrical device is in its said second condition.

5. In combination, two selectors one of which is responsive to current of a given code and the second of which is responsive to current of a given different code, a circuit forcontrolling the supplying of said coded currents to said selectors, an electrical device capable of being put into either a first or a second condition, means for putting said electrical device into said iirst or said second condition according as said first or said second selector is operated, indication control means included in said control circuit and responsive to thepolarity of current flowing in said control circuit, means for supplying said control circuit with current of one polarity or the other according as said electrical device is in its said first or its said second condition, and indication means controlled by said indication control means.

6. In combination, two selectors one of which is responsive to currentof a given code and the second of `which is responsive to current cfa CII 6 given different code, a circuit for controlling the supplying of said coded currents to said selectors, an electrical device capable of being put into either a first or a second condition, means for putting said electrical device into said first or said second condition according as said rst or said second selector is operated, indication control means included in said control circuit and responsive to the polarity of current flowing in said control circuit, means for supplying said control circuit with current of one polarity or the other according as said electrical device is in its said first or its said second condition, indication means controlled by said indication control means, a second deviceseparately controlled to a first and a second condition, a second indication control means included in said control circuit and responsive only7 to current of greater magnitude than is required for the operation of said first indication control means, means controlled by said first device for supplying said control circuit with current of suicient magnitude to operate both said first and second indication control means when said second device is in its said first condition, means controlled by said rst device for supplying said control circuit with current of sufficient magnitude to operate said first but not said second indication control means when said second device is in its said second condition, and indication means controlled by said second indication control means.

7. In combination, a railway trafc governing device capable of being put into either a first or a second condition, two selectors one of which is responsive to current of a given code and the second of which is responsive to current of a given different code, a circuit for controlling the supplying of said coded currents to said selectors, means for putting said governing device into its said first or its said second condition according as said first or said second selector is operated, an indication relay the Winding of which is included in said control circuit and which is responsive to the polarity of current flowing through its Winding, means for supplying said control circuit with current of one polarity or the other according as said governing device is in its said first or its said second condition, and indication means controlled by said indication relay.

8. In combination, a railway traic governing device capable of being put into either a first or a second condition, two selectors one of which is responsive to current of a given code and the second of which is responsive to current of a given different code, a circuit for controlling the supplying of said coded currents to said selectors, means for putting said governing device into its said iirst or its said second condition according as said rst or said second selector is operated, an indication relay the winding of which is included in 'said control circuit and which is responsive to the polarity of current flowing through its winding, means for supplying said control circuit with current of one polarity or the other according as said governing device is in its 'said iirst or its said second condition, indication means controlled by said indication relay, a track section, a track circuit for said section including a track relay, a second indication relay the Winding of which is included in said control circuit and which is responsive only to current of greater magnitude than is required for the operation of said rst indication relay, means controlled by said governing device for supplying said control circuit with current of sufficient magnitude to operate both said first and second indication relays when said track relay is energized, means'controlled by said governing device for supplying said control circuit with current of sufficient magnitude to operate said first but not said second indication relay when said track relay is de-energized, and indication means controlled by said second indication relay.

9. In combination, a railway switch, a signal for governing the movement of traffic over said: switch, a first selector responsive to current of a given code only, a second selector responsive to current of a second given code only, a third selector responsive to current of a third given code only, a iirst and a second stick relay, a pickup circuit for said rst stick relay controlled by said first selector, a stick circuit for said first stick relay controlled by a contact operated by said switch, a pick-up circuit for said second stick relay controlled by said second selector, a stick circuit for said second stick relay controlled by a contact operated by said switch, means for controlling the operation of said switch to its normal and reverse positions by said first and second stick relays respectively, means for controlling said signal by said third selector, a manually operable lever having a first and a second and a third position, a circuit for controlling the supplying of said coded currents to said selectors according to the coded current supplied to said circuit, and means for supplying said circuit with current of said first or second or third codes when said lever is in said first or second or third positions respectively.

10. In combination with a railway switch, a signal for governing the movement of traiic over said switch, a rst selector responsive to current of a given code only, a second selector responsive to current of a second given code only, a third selector responsive to current of a third given code only, means for controlling the operation of said switch to its normal and reverse positions by said first and second selectors respectively, a manually operable lever having a first and a second and a third position, a circuit for controlling the supplying of said coded currents to said selectors according to the coded current supplied to said circuit, means for at times supplying said circuit with current of said rst or second or third codes when said lever is in said first or second or third positions respectively, means for at other times supplying said circuit with non-coded current when said lever is in said first or second or third positions, a stick relay, a pick-up circuit for said stick relay controlled by said third selector, a stick circuit for said stick relay controlled by said non-coded current in said circuit, and means for controlling said signal by said stick relay.

11. In combination, a railway switch, a signal for governing the movement of traffic over said switch, a manually operable lever having a rst and a second and a third position, a control circuit, means for supplying said control circuit with current of a first or a second or a third code according as said lever is in its said first or second or third positions respectively, means for controlling the operation of said switch to its normal or its reverse position according as current of said first or of said second code is supplied to said control circuit, means for controlling the operation of said signal by current of said third code supplied to said control circuit, an approach track section for said switch, a detector track section for said switch, a track circuitv for each of said sections each including a track relay, an indication relay responsive to thepolarity of current flowing through its winding which is included in said control circuit, means for supplying said control circuit with current of one polarity or the other according as said switch is in its normal or its reverse position, a second indication relay the winding of which is also included in said control circuit and which is responsive only to current of greater magnitude than is required for the operation of said rst indication relay, means for supplying said control circuit with current of suiiicient magnitude to operate both said rst and second indication relays when said approach section relay is energized, means for supplying said control circuit with current of suiiicient magnitude to operate said first but not said second indication relay when said approach section relay is de-energized, a front contact of said detector section relay included in said control circuit, a locking relay, a second locking relay, a

pick-up circuit for said i'lrst locking relay controlled by a front contact of said second locking relay and by a contact which is closed while said lever is in its said first or second `positions or at any intermediate point, a stick circuit for said iirst locking relay controlled by said rst indication relay, a time element contacting device, a pick-up circuit for said second locking relay controlled by a front contact of said second indication relay and by a back contact of said iirst locking relay as well as by a normally closed contact of said time element device in series, a second pick-up circuit for said second locking relay controlled by a contact of said time element device which becomes closed only upon the lapse of a measured interval of time after said normally closed contact is opened by said time element device, a stick circuit for said second locking relay controlled by a normally closed contact of said time element device and by a contact which is closed only while said lever is in its said iirst or second positions or at any intermediate point, a second stick circuit for said second locking relay controlled by said second indication relay and by a normally closed contact of said time element device, a contact of said rst locking relay included in said control circuit when said lever is in its said third position, and a contact of said second locking relay included in said control circuit when said lever is in its said rst or second positions.

12. In combination, .a railway traiic governing device, means adjacent said device and controlled by said device for supplying electric currents of dilerent characteristics, means controlled by said currents for indicating at a remote point the condition of said device, means at said remote point for interrupting said currents according to a given code, and means responsive to said coded currents for controlling said traic governing device.

13. In combination, a section of railway track including a switch, .a line circuit extending from a remote control point to a point adjacent said switch, means at said remote point for interrupting said line circuit according to a given code, means responsive to said coded circuit for controlling said switch, .and means adjacent said switch for opening said line circuit to prevent 0peration of said switch while said track section is occupied.

14. In combination, af railway track switch, a line circuit extending from a remote control point to a point adjacent said switch, means at said remote point for interrupting said line circuit according to a given code, means responsive to said coded circuit for controlling said switch, means responsive to the position of said switch for controlling the polarity of current in said line circuit, and switch indicating means .at said remote point responsive to the polarity of current in said line circuit.

15. In combination, a switch section and an approach section of railway track, a track switch in said switch section, a signal governing trafc approaching said switch through said approach section and controlled from a remote point, a stick relay having a stick Vcircuit closed when said signal is clear provided said approach section is unoccupied, a control device at the switch for controlling said switch, means controlled from said remote point for yat times energizing said control device only when said switch section is unoccupied and said stick relay is energized, a manually operable mechanism, and means responsive to an operation of said mechanism for causing said signal to indicate stop and to pick up said stick relay even though a train occupies said approach section.

16. In combination, a stretch of railwayk track comprising a switch section and an approach section, a track switch in said switch section, a signal for governing trafilc movements from said approach section into said switch section, .a lever having a normal and a reverse position and having a contact which is closed when the lever is in its normal position only, means controlled by said lever for causing said signal to indicate stop when the lever is in its normal position and for causing said signal to indicate proceed when the lever is in its reverse position, an approach locking relay, a pick-up circuit for said relay controlled by trailic conditions in said approach section but not controlled by said lever contact, a stick circuit for said relay including said lever contact, and means including said approach locking relay for controlling said switch.

17. In combination, a stretch of railway track comprising a switch section and an approach section, a track switch in said switch section, a signal for governing traffic movements from said approach section into said switch section, a lever having a normal and a reverse position and having a contact which is closed when the lever is in its normal position only, means controlled by said lever for causing said signal to indicate "stop when the lever is in its normal position and for causing said signal to indicate proceed when the lever is in its reverse position, a signal stick relay, a pick-up and a stick circuit for said relay one of which includes said contact and the other of which is controlled by trailic conditions in said switch section, an approach locking relay, a pick-up and a stick circuit for said approach locking relay one of which is controlled by said signal stick relay and the other of which is controlled by traliic conditions in said approach section, and means including said approach locking relay for controlling said switch.

18. In combination, a stretch of railway track comprising a switch section and an ap-proach section, a track switch in said switch section, a signal for governing trafiic movements from. said approach section into said switch section, a signal relay and a switch relay controlled selectively from a remote point, means controlled by said signal relay for governing said signal, a locking relay, means controlled by said locking relay for affecting the control of said switch relay, means for holding said locking relay energized when said signal is clear provided said approach section is unoccupied, a manually operable device, means effective when said device is actuated to pick up said locking relay, and means effective when said device is actuated to prevent control of said switch and signal relays from said remote point until the device is restored to its normal condition.

19'. In combination, a stretch of railway track comprising a switch section and an approach section, a track switch in said switch section, a signal for governing traic movements from. said approach section into said switch section, a signal relay and a switch relay controlled selectively from a remote point, means controlled by said signal relay for governing said signal, a locking relay, means controlled by said locking relay for affecting the control of said switch relay, means for holding said locking relay energized when said signal is clear provided said approach section is unoccupied, a manually operable device comprising a normally open contact and a normally closed contact, means controlled by said normally open contact for energizing said locking relay, and means controlled by said normally closed contact for governing said signal.

20. In combination, a stretch of railway track comprising a switch section and an approach section, a railway track switch in said switch section, a plurality of signals for governing train movements over said switch, a pair of relays at Said switch for controlling said switch, manually operable control means at a remote point for transmitting coded current to selectively operate one or the other of said relays to control said switch, means controlled by a .train in said approach section for preventing operation of either of said control relays while one of said signals is controlled to occupy the clear position, and means controlled by a train in said switch section for preventing operation of either of said control relays.

2l. In combination, a movable lever, a railway switch, a switch control relay for moving said switch to one position, a second switch control relay for moving said switch to a second position, means for delivering one code when said lever is in one position and another code when said lever is in a different position, means responsive to said first code for energizing said rst relay, means responsive to said second code for energizing said second relay, and means responsive to restrictive traflic conditions adjacent said device for preventing the operation of either of said relays while said restrictive traffic conditions exist.

22. In combination, a railway traffic governing device, a circuit extending from a remote point to a point adjacent said device for controlling said device, means for at times delivering one code to said circuit for imposing one condition upon said device and for at other times delivering another code to said circuit for imposing a different condition upon said device, and means responsive to restrictive traffic conditions adjacent said device for opening said circuit to prevent the delivery of codes while said restrictive traflic conditions exist.

23. In combination, a line circuit, a movable lever, a code transmitter, a selector controlled by a code delivered by said line circuit, a relay responsive to conditions adjacent said selector, means controlled by -said lever and by said relay for completing said line circuit through said transmitter, a device controlled by said selector, an indicator adjacent said lever, and means controlled by said relay and including said line circuit for operating said indicator.

24. In a train dispatching system of .the selector type, the combination with a single line circuit extending along the railway track and connecting a Way station and a dispatchers ofce, code responsive means at said way station for rendering available a particular message circuit branch upon the reception of a particular code, and means controlled over such message circuit for again making such branch unavailable.

25. In a train dispatching system of the selector type, the combination with a single line circuit extending along the railway track and connecting a way station and a dispatchers office, means responsive to a plurality of distinctive impulses transmitted in a distinctive order which when it responds makes available for use a particular message circuit branch, and a relay controlled over such message circuit branch for again making said branch unavailable for use.

26. In a train dispatching system of the selector type, the combination with a single line circuit extending along the railway track and connecting a Way station and a dispatchers oice, means responsive to a plurality of distinctive impulses transmitted in a distinctive order which when it responds makes available for use a particular message circuit branch, said message branch forming part of a message circuit including said single l-ine circuit, control means and controllable means included in said message circuit, and other means for discontinuing said message circuit available for use and rendering said line circuit available for transmitting another code.

27. In a train dispatching system of the selector type, the combination with a single line circuit extending along the railway track and connecting a way station and a dispatchers oilce, means responsive to a plurality of distinctive impulses transmitted in distinctive order which when it responds makes available for use a particular message circuit branch, said message branch forming part of a message circuit including said single line circuit, means controlled over said message circuit to inform the engineer of an approaching train how he is to move his train, and other means for discontinuing said message circuit for use and rendering said line circuit available for transmitting another code.

28. In a train dispatching system of the selector type, the combination with a single line circuit extending along the railway track and connecting a way station and a Idispatchers cnice, code responsive means at said way station for rendering available a particular message circuit branch upon the reception of a particular code, a railway signal controlled over said message circuit, and means controlled over such message circuit for again making such branch unavailable.

29. In a train dispatching system of the selector type, the combination with a single line circuit extending along the railway track and connecting a way station and a dispatchers cnice, code responsive means at said Way station for rendering available for use a particular message circuit branch upon the reception of a particular code, and a relay controlled over such message circuit branch for again making said branch available for use.

f 30. In a train dispatching system of the selector type, the combination with a single line circuit extending along the railway track and connecting a way station and a dispatchers office, code responsive means at said way station for rendering available for use a particular message circuit branch upon the reception of a particular code, said message branch formingpart of a message circuit including said single line circuit, control means and controllable means included in said message circuit, and other means for discontinuing said message circuit available for use and rendering said line circuit available for transmitting another code.

31. In a train dispatching system of the selector type, the combination with a single line circuit extending along the railway track and connecting a way station and a dispatchers oillce, code responsive means at said way station for rendering available for use a particular message circuit branch upon the reception of a particular code, said message branch forming part of a message circuit including said single line circuit, means controlled over said message circuit to inform the engineer of an approaching train how he is to move his train, and other means for discontinuing said message circuit for use and rendering said line circuit available for transmitting another code. p

32. Ina remote control system, two stations connected by a single line circuit, a source of current for said line circuit-at one station, means at the other station for repeatedly interrupting the line circuit to form a code, means at said one station for reversing the polarity of said source, code responsive means at said one station controlled by code interruptions in said line circuit, and means at the other station selectively responsive to the polarity of the current in the line circuit.

33. In a system for the duplex transmission of signals over a line circuit between two stations,

a source of current for said line circuit, transmitting means at one station for controlling the polarity of the current in said line circuit, transe mitting means at the other station for repeatedly interrupting the current in the line circuit to form a code, and signal receiving means at each station responsive to the transmitting means at the other station.

34. In a centralized traiiic controlling system for railroads, a control ofiice, a eld station, and means for simultaneously transmitting controls and indications between said control office and i said eld station over a single line circuit, said means including means at said control office for impressing a series of distinctive impulses on the single line circuit, and means at said ield station for modifying said series of impulses.

35. In combination, a railway signal, a line ciru cuit, means for at times supplying coded current impulses to said line circuit, means for at other times supplying non-coded current to said line circuit, a selector controlled by current in said line clrcuit and responsive only to a particular code, a stick relay, a pick-up circuit for said stick relay controlled by said selector, a stick circuit for said stick relay controlled by said noncoded current, and means controlled by said stick relay for controlling said signal.

36. In combination, an oiiice and a station, a plurality of railway traic governing devices including a railway signal at said station, a normally energized line circuit extending from the oifice to the station, means at said office for transmitting different codes over said line circuit to control said devices and to clear said sig* nal, and means non-responsive to said codes but dependent only upon the energized condition of said line circuit for maintaining said signal at clear.

HARRY C. VANTASSEL. 

